News

COVID-19 Updates

27th March 2020

Please note that due to COVID-19 we currently have some temporary changes surrounding how we run things!

 

Foodbank Vouchers

Please read the below update from the Cannock and District Foodbank manager surrounding how vouchers have temporarily changed.

“The Cannock and District foodbank will continue to provide emergency food to people in crisis.  With all this said we have made some unprecedented operational changes. From Monday 23rd March 2020 all usual foodbank food distribution centres for the Cannock & District foodbank will close apart from Kingsmead Baptist Church and Emmanuel Church. This means the foodbank centres on the back of the red vouchers will no longer be open. Taking their place will be Coniston Hall which will distribute food Monday-Friday between 10am and 3pm.

We also appreciate that some of our referral agencies will no longer be carrying out face to face meetings with clients who may need the foodbank.  It is also clear that some people who may need food are also being advised to self-isolate.  Subsequently we will now be taking some referrals for the foodbank via phone on 01543 422394 which clients can call themselves between 9am and 1pm, Monday to Friday.  We are concerned to make sure those who have suddenly seen their household income reduce, either due to self-isolation or working in an industry which has seen a downturn can easily access the foodbank.  Please continue to issue red vouchers to those in need if you are able to do so – but direct clients to our 01543 422394 phone line.

For those self-isolating and unable to organise a relative to collect food for them we will be operating an unadvertised and hands-off delivery service throughout the district, though it will be our intention for most people to collect food from Coniston Hall at this time.

For further information or to receive more vouchers please call us on 01543 422394.”

Urgently Needed Food and Non-Food Items

This is the time when we need to come together as a community and help others. We are continuing to provide emergency food & non-food essential supplies to local people in crisis. Can you help us?
We currently need the following non-food supplies:
– Anti-bacterial liquid handwash
– Hand sanitiser gel
– toilet rolls
– any anti-bacterial cleaning products
(We realise these items are in general short supply at the moment but anything you are able to donate would be extremely gratefully received.)
We also need the following food supplies:
– Tinned meat
– Tinned fruit
– Coffee
– UHT milk
– Squash / cordial / juice
– Tinned Rice puddings
Donations can be dropped off at our Consiton Hall warehouse in Chadsmoor between Mon-Sat, 10am-3pm or to any of our drop-off locations, located on our website.
We are very grateful for your continued support in donating food items that we are short of.

We want to say a BIG thank you!

WOW!! In just 24 hours we have received over £600 of monetary donations to our PayPal fund! This is absolutely incredible – thank you so much!

We are running very, very low on food stocks so we are immediately spending the money we receive to provide food for families in crisis as a result of Covid-19.

If every person who visited our website donated just £1 we could buy over a tonne of food!

Please use this link to donate: https://www.paypal.me/cannockdistrictfb

 

Want to help us?

All food is now distributed from our central warehouse on Cecil Street, Chadsmoor, WS11 5HG.

Therefore we are looking for volunteer drivers who can help us deliver food parcels to people unable to leave their homes to collect.

If you are interested in volunteering – please visit our contact us page and we will get back to you!

 

Church Support

We’re asking for additional urgent help from churches – along with other partners – as we respond to these challenges, including:

  • Volunteering: We urgently need people – especially of working age – to give time to keep our food banks running. This could include sorting donations, packing boxes in the warehouse, or making deliveries to people’s doorsteps by car. We make this appeal particularly to churches with younger congregations, who may have members who find themselves more available to volunteer during the week than usual. In order to coordinate volunteering offers, we have also set up an online portal where people can register to help here.
  • Food supplies: Some food banks are already facing shortages, and others will begin to run low as social distancing measures take effect. Please encourage people in your congregation and wider community to continue donating non-perishable food and money to food banks at this time and over the coming months. Before donating, please check your local food bank’s website and social media channels to see what supplies they are currently in need of.
  • Transport: We want to be able to deliver food to the doorstep for people experiencing poverty who are self-isolating at home and in need of support from a food bank. This is not a service we usually offer, so we need volunteer drivers and assistants to make this possible.
  • Church buildings: The majority of our food bank distribution centres are based in local churches. It is vitally important that these buildings remain open for food banks to use so that emergency food provision can continue even though gathered worship services will not be taking place. If your church building is a food bank venue, please make every effort to keep it available to the food bank. Food banks are introducing social distancing practices and in some cases doorstep deliveries.
  • Prayer: We know there are many people who want to help practically but cannot because they are rightly taking measures to protect themselves and other people. If people would like to get involved in a different way by praying, we would really welcome that. Some suggested prayer points are outlined below.

Our Trussell Trust team, like the dedicated teams of staff and volunteers who make food banks happen across the country, is made up of people from a variety of faith and non-faith backgrounds. For lots of food bank staff and volunteers, prayer is an important way of seeking guidance, being resourced for action, and bringing about change. If you would like to pray or lead others in prayer in support of our work at this time, some pointers for prayer – in addition to the topics above – could include:

  1. Many people who need to use food banks have exhausted support from family and friends and have nowhere else to turn. Pray for those who are isolated and afraid, that they would experience comfort and connection and be able toa ccess the material provision they need.
  2. Food banks will be adapting to different ways of working in order to operate safely and will be welcoming new volunteers at this time. Pray for strength, wisdom, and health for volunteers and staff providing food banks and other essential services in our communities.
  3. Leaders of all kinds are making difficult decisions in a fast-changing environment about how to protect and provide for people, including regarding food and money. Pray for clarity and insight for government, business, church, charity, and statutory sector leaders as they navigate these decisions together.

 

Please remember that above all – stay safe and if you are ever unsure please check the GOV.UK website.

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